How to Support the Survivors of the Deadly Earthquakes in Mexico

The first earthquake occurred on September 7, hitting parts of Guatemala and Southwestern Mexico. The magnitude of the quake scored an 8.1 on the Richter scale, making history as the most intense earthquake that Mexico has had in a century. According to the New York Times, at least 61 people in Mexico were killed by the earthquake in Oaxaca, Chiapas State and Tabasco. Local reports indicate that the majority of the casualties happened in Oaxaca, where at least 45 people died.

Now, less than two weeks later, Mexico has suffered once again from another seismic natural disaster. On September 19, the second earthquake caused catastrophic damage to streets and buildings and has left hundreds dead in the wake of the destruction. People are still reeling from the magnitude of the 7.1 earthquake, and the death toll has been set somewhere between 217-to-250 people by the Mexican National Coordinator for Civil Protection. One of the most tragic losses are the 20 children and two adults who were discovered dead at an elementary school in Mexico City.

Recent natural disasters have shown that people can come together to support one another in times of need. Here's how you can support Mexico's recovery.

• Donate to UNICEF Mexico. The organization works to ensure the health and rights of children in Mexico and are facilitating relief aid for young people following the earthquake. Learn more information below.

• Take action and help survivors by supporting Oxfam Mexico. Their overall mission is to end injustice and poverty, but after this tragedy they're moving momentum around earthquake recovery. Find more about their organization and other ways you can give back.
• Save the Children Mexico is also collecting donations to fund disaster aid for children affected by the earthquake. Families lost their homes and children lost their schools in the destruction. Here's how you can get more information about supporting these vulnerable communities.

• Use social media to help locate missing or deceased people so that families are informed about the status of their loved ones. Google's people finder platform is a database that allows you to enter information about people who are missing and found and others are able to search for people as well. Also, if you're in the area impacted by the tremors and have access to the internet mark yourself as safe on your social accounts.
• Topos México was formed after a huge earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985. "Los Topos" or "the moles," are an elite rescue team that helps rescue trapped and injured victims, and have set up ways to immediately help by donating below.

• Donate to GlobalGiving. This international crowdfunding community connects people to support charitable causes. Their organization is collecting donations to aid survivors and aid in long-term recovery efforts. Take action now.

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